[nabs-l] Philosophy in society
Kirt Manwaring
kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
Mon Feb 28 17:39:40 UTC 2011
Joe,
Amen! And, on that note, I'm taking some time off from the list.
Discussion here's nice, but I have some real writing to do. Namely a
paper about how young-earth Creationism isn't scientifically credible,
and an essay about how Nicholo Machiavelli was a real piece of
work...so I'll be back in a few weeks when I got some time. To any of
you I'm in contact with off-list, I'll still keep in touch as time
permits.
Best,
Kirt
On 2/28/11, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm not quite sure that's what I took away from Kirt's e-mail. Yes, I'm
> sure there are blind people with low expectations and a sense of entitlement
> resulting from their disability, but I don't know that every blind
> unemployed person out there has found themselves in this situation on
> account of being lazy or for lack of trying. I've known three highly
> competent blind people who were unemployed for a period of time for no other
> reason than the poor state of the job market. That being said, the job
> market will remain competitive even when the economy bounces back, and
> people, blind or otherwise, should be prepared to run the extra mile to make
> themselves marketable. For blind people unfortunately this means living in
> cities with better public transportation, better education and plenty of
> experience, whether it be paid or unpaid. Writing list posts, producing
> podcasts and maintaining blog journals will only get us so far on the resume
> unless these activities are advancing one's objectives or directly relevant
> to the position to which one is applying.
>
> Joe
>
> “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.”--Sam Ewing
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Anmol Bhatia
> Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 12:17 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Philosophy in society
>
>
> Hello Kirt,
> There is know need to ve to appologize since pretty much everything you said
> in your previous email is mostly true. I just commend you for having the
> courage to speak the trouth and for saying what I and I spect a few other
> blind people think in a public blind list. But pretty much I agree with
> everything you said about most blind people feeling the need of entitlement,
> suffering from laziness,and having low expectation and how all this can be
> classified as related to their disability. Frankly this frustrates me to
> know extend.
>
> Anmol
>
> I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps
> there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze
> among flowers.
> Hellen Keller
>
>
> --- On Sun, 2/27/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Philosophy in society
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011, 8:32 PM
>> To all,
>> I have to appologize for my last email. Most
>> blind people, even the
>> ones that frustrate me to no end, deserve more respect than
>> I just
>> gave. I can only think of a few to whom all my last
>> blanket
>> statements apply.
>> Best,
>> Kirt
>>
>> On 2/27/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> > Serena,
>> > Absolutely. I'm talking about
>> those whose only diagnosed disability
>> > is blindness. But certainly their sense of
>> entitlement, laziness, low
>> > expectations and nonexistent work ethics could all be
>> considered
>> > disabilities, in their own right.
>> >
>> > On 2/27/11, Serena Cucco <serenacucco at verizon.net>
>> wrote:
>> >> Hi Kirt,
>> >>
>> >> I agree ... I know plenty of blind people (not on
>> this list) who could
>> >> definitely use better social skills. Keep in
>> mind, though, many blind
>> >> people who only talk about blindness may have
>> additional disabilities
>> >> that
>> >> make social interaction difficult. I know
>> plenty of these.
>> >>
>> >> Serena
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On
>> >> Behalf
>> >> Of Kirt Manwaring
>> >> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 2:07 AM
>> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing
>> list
>> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Philosophy in society
>> >>
>> >> Arielle,
>> >> I really shouldn't beat a dead
>> horse senseless. But here I go again.
>> >> :)
>> >> I suppose, strictly speaking,
>> you're right. To each his/her own.
>> >> But I know plenty of blind people, a
>> disproportionately large number,
>> >> who don't know how to interact with the sighted
>> public. Their lives
>> >> are blindness. And they don't ever interact
>> with anything, or anyone
>> >> else. It's no wonder, then, that we as a
>> blind community sometimes
>> >> get a bad rap for being narrow-minded, exclusive,
>> and even eletist.
>> >> Were a sighted person who didn't know a thing
>> about blindness, and I
>> >> were to meet at random one of the blind people who
>> I currently
>> >> know...odds are, I probably wouldn't be impressed
>> enough to think of
>> >> them as an equal. Because, let's face it,
>> too many blind people have
>> >> been told their whole lives they can't succeed in
>> the sighted world.
>> >> And, because of that rediculous unspoken mantra,
>> (maybe explicitly
>> >> spoken sometimes, I don't know) they don't know
>> how to handle
>> >> themselves with sighted people when they need
>> to. I think we all know
>> >> a good number of blind people who fit the
>> description I just gave. I
>> >> know far too many. So, on that front, I rest
>> my case.
>> >> Now let's move on to the other
>> issues you raised. For those blind
>> >> people who want blindness to basically be their
>> whole identity...fine.
>> >> It's not my place to say they shouldn't do
>> that. It's certainly good
>> >> to see qualified blind people working as cane
>> travel instructors,
>> >> braille teachers, rehab counselors, etc. And
>> I have just as much
>> >> respect for a blind husband and wife as I would
>> for a sighted couple,
>> >> all other factors being equal, provided the blind
>> spouses both have
>> >> the skills they need to independently manage a
>> marriage and, if they
>> >> so choose, a family.
>> >> That being said, I've taken a lot
>> of heat from lots of blind people
>> >> for not being "involved" enough. Never mind
>> I'm in school, I have a
>> >> social life at school, and I have lots of other
>> things I want to do
>> >> outside the blind community. As I've said,
>> I'm not going to judge
>> >> people who make the blind community their primary
>> social network. I
>> >> only ask for that to go both ways. Blindness
>> is not me, I just happen
>> >> to be blind along with all the plethora of other
>> things that help
>> >> define me. Unfortunately, often times I
>> don't get the same respect
>> >> I'm trying to give. Y'all do your thing,
>> I'll do mine. And let's all
>> >> be friendly and realize the diversity we all bring
>> to the table. You
>> >> may choose to live your life primarily with blind
>> people, more power
>> >> to you! I choose not to, and all I want is
>> that same courtesy.
>> >> Best,
>> >> Kirt
>> >> P.S. Arielle, that was in no way directed
>> against you. Just...some
>> >> of my frustrations about some other people came
>> out. I'm not meaning
>> >> to accuse or insult anyone here, so please forgive
>> me if it sounded
>> >> that way.
>> >>
>> >> On 2/26/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >>> Hi Kurt and all,
>> >>>
>> >>> I agree with Darian. Just because someone
>> talks about blindness stuff
>> >>> a lot with their blind friends doesn't
>> necessarily mean they will have
>> >>> similarly narrow conversation when with
>> sighted people. Being a part
>> >>> of two minority groups (blind people and Jews)
>> I can attest that my
>> >>> blind friends and I talk a lot about blindness
>> and my Jewish friends
>> >>> and I talk a lot about Jewish things. I don't
>> talk about the blindness
>> >>> stuff with my Jewish friends, and vice versa.
>> I also tend to talk
>> >>> about psychology a lot with my grad student
>> and faculty colleagues. I
>> >>> don't even think it's a problem if someone's
>> primary identity is
>> >>> blindness, they work in the blindness field
>> and they marry a blind
>> >>> person, as long as they're able to get along
>> OK with sighted
>> >>> coworkers, friends or acquaintances when they
>> need to. Some of us
>> >>> prefer to have a wide circle of friends or
>> multiple social communities
>> >>> but others are perfectly content with a few
>> friends or one main
>> >>> community and I don't think it's our place to
>> pass judgment on these
>> >>> people. I can understand the concerns about
>> our public image, but
>> >>> again I think that boils down to how well the
>> blind person is able to
>> >>> interact with sighted people when they need
>> to. I think we should make
>> >>> an effort to be kind and inclusive to sighted
>> people around us, but we
>> >>> don't necessarily need to reach out to them as
>> our friends.
>> >>>
>> >>> Arielle
>> >>>
>> >>> On 2/17/11, Jorge Paez <jorgeapaez at mac.com>
>> wrote:
>> >>>> So very true.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I remember being in the Mall Of America,
>> >>>> the 4 of us kids were going with one of
>> the councelers on a
>> >>>> rolercoaster,
>> >>>> and they tried to force an adult
>> administrator to go with us.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Councelors fought it out and won that one
>> though,
>> >>>> but yes, I've seen some quite bad ones.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Actually, I remember a guy once on a
>> plane--the flight attendance that
>> >> is,
>> >>>> said my cane had to be stored in the
>> overhead because it could "be used
>> >> as
>> >>>> a
>> >>>> weapon."
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Jorge
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> On Feb 16, 2011, at 11:19 PM, humberto
>> wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>>>> Interesting essay: We all run into
>> stories like that. I know, people
>> >> just
>> >>>>> don't understand about blindness.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>>>>> From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com
>> >>>>>> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> Date sent: Wed, 16 Feb 2011
>> 18:02:23 -0600
>> >>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Philosophy in
>> society
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> It is a total drag when people
>> want to only talk about your
>> >>>>> blindness--
>> >>>>>> as though you have nothing to
>> offer. I try to view these moments
>> >>>>> as
>> >>>>>> educational opportunities. I
>> kindly and diplomatically explain,
>> >>>>> to the
>> >>>>>> best of my abilities, how blind
>> people "do" things. I try to
>> >>>>> answer
>> >>>>>> questions, but then turn the
>> conversation around to discuss other
>> >>>>>> matters. Find opportunities
>> in conversations to change the
>> >>>>> discussion.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> It is not always easy. I do
>> think it is perfectly acceptable to,
>> >>>>> in a
>> >>>>>> diplomatic fashion, explain that
>> blind people have other
>> >>>>> interest. Ask
>> >>>>>> the person questions so a
>> back-and-forth begins.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I am posting an essay I wrote that
>> exemplifies this discussion, I
>> >>>>> think.
>> >>>>>> There is a section with some
>> strong language so if you do not
>> >>>>> enjoy
>> >>>>>> strong language, you may want to
>> skip this. It is only a small
>> >>>>> section
>> >>>>>> that includes the language.
>> Enjoy. *smile*
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> The Event of the Century
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> The chill wind whips my hair as I
>> cane along the Fuddrucker's
>> >>>>> building
>> >>>>>> with my long white cane searching
>> for the door. My friends do
>> >>>>> the same
>> >>>>>> with their canes. The scent
>> of grease filters through the chill
>> >>>>> air.
>> >>>>>> It is the unmistakeable odor of a
>> hamburger joint. We are cold,
>> >>>>> and we
>> >>>>>> are hungry. Finding the
>> door, we all scurry inside. We are
>> >>>>> seven
>> >>>>>> friends out on a Saturday having a
>> good time-we all happen to be
>> >>>>> blind.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Piling into the entrance, we tap
>> our white canes investigating
>> >>>>> the
>> >>>>>> restaurant. Ross, my
>> husband, and I find a wall and follow it
>> >>>>> with our
>> >>>>>> canes tapping back-and-forth
>> against the wall. "Hey guys," I
>> >>>>> call out,
>> >>>>>> "I believe this is the
>> counter." The click of cane tips echoes
>> >>>>> from all
>> >>>>>> directions as Shane, Amy, Audra,
>> Jamie and Carol find their way
>> >>>>> to the
>> >>>>>> counter. Since the menu is
>> not available in Braille, I ask the
>> >>>>> cashier
>> >>>>>> to please read the choices out
>> loud. Ross and I order as our
>> >>>>> friends
>> >>>>>> from Lincoln, who we do not see
>> often, decide what sounds best.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Grabbing my cup, I listen for the
>> soda fountain. Ice chinks into
>> >>>>> a cup
>> >>>>>> and I follow the sound. I
>> encounter an island separating the
>> >>>>> soda
>> >>>>>> fountain from where I stand.
>> Pausing for a second, I determine
>> >>>>> which
>> >>>>>> direction to walk around the
>> island, but before I can take
>> >>>>> another step,
>> >>>>>> a stranger approaches me.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Can I help you?" she asks.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "No thanks. I'm just going
>> to fill my cup," I say. As I step
>> >>>>> around the
>> >>>>>> stranger, arcing my cane, I can
>> tell she is hesitating. Before I
>> >>>>> know
>> >>>>>> what to do, she pinches a fold of
>> my coat and yanks me around the
>> >>>>>> island.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "It's this way," she says .
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Thanks, but that's the direction
>> I was moving in, ma'am."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> The stranger pauses again as my
>> friends move past looking for an
>> >>>>> open
>> >>>>>> table. "Where is your companion?"
>> she asks.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Well, seeing as we're all adults,
>> we don't have a companion." I
>> >>>>> follow
>> >>>>>> the cane taps leaving the stranger
>> alone to ponder the miracle
>> >>>>> happening
>> >>>>>> before her eyes.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "The freak show's out.
>> Everyone should grab their camera," Audra
>> >>>>> says
>> >>>>>> as I approach the table.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> We all quietly chuckle. We don't
>> mean to be rude, but we are all
>> >>>>> use to
>> >>>>>> this reaction when in
>> public. The amazing blind people who have
>> >>>>> left
>> >>>>>> the security of their homes!
>> Yes, I am cynical, but this has
>> >>>>> always
>> >>>>>> been a part of my character.
>> Encountering ridiculous ideas and
>> >>>>> outdated
>> >>>>>> attitudes towards blindness on a
>> daily basis, keeps my cynicism
>> >>>>> fresh.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Eight years ago I would never have
>> thought the hardest part of
>> >>>>> being
>> >>>>>> blind was dealing with society's
>> perceptions and attitudes. I
>> >>>>> very
>> >>>>>> quickly adjusted to my blindness,
>> and it is a part of who I am.
>> >>>>> I
>> >>>>>> accept it just as I accept the
>> color of my hair or my inability
>> >>>>> to solve
>> >>>>>> a math equation quickly. I
>> am no more amazing than anyone else,
>> >>>>> but
>> >>>>>> because I do things without
>> vision, it suddenly makes me
>> >>>>> exceptional.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> It is difficult to be around
>> people, not because I am blind, but
>> >>>>> because
>> >>>>>> others usually have problems
>> accepting me as a person and not as
>> >>>>> a blind
>> >>>>>> person. Sometimes, I would
>> rather spend time with children
>> >>>>> because they
>> >>>>>> have an inate ability to trust and
>> not doubt because of a
>> >>>>> perceived
>> >>>>>> reality.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> My favorite past time these days
>> is spending time with my nephew
>> >>>>> and
>> >>>>>> nieces. I must have the baby
>> bug or something-- the biological
>> >>>>> clock
>> >>>>>> and all. They bring joy to
>> my life, and yes, I must admit, I
>> >>>>> talk
>> >>>>>> endlessly about them.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Caiden is seven and a bit too
>> smart for his own good. Chloe is
>> >>>>> five and
>> >>>>>> extremely independent, but she
>> loves with her whole heart.
>> >>>>> Kensley is
>> >>>>>> two, and she has the sweetest
>> temperament, but every now and
>> >>>>> then, she
>> >>>>>> gets a wild, mischievious glimmer
>> in her eyes. Penny is one and
>> >>>>> full of
>> >>>>>> energy, but I have become a
>> surrogate mother to her. I have
>> >>>>> watched them
>> >>>>>> evolve from tiny beings, into real
>> people, and it is through them
>> >>>>> I see
>> >>>>>> where the future can lie.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I am often met with dubious stares
>> and hesitant concerns when
>> >>>>> people
>> >>>>>> find out that I frequently watch
>> my nephew and nieces.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "How could you watch children?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Isn't it difficult?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Can blind people do that?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I hear these questions repeatedly,
>> and depending on my mood, I
>> >>>>> respond
>> >>>>>> accordingly. I do not
>> believe how insulting people can be.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> When I take the kids to the park
>> or the mall or on a walk, people
>> >>>>>> usually think the kids are guiding
>> me around. Yes, a
>> >>>>> seven-year-old,
>> >>>>>> five-year-old, two-year-old and a
>> baby guide me. We would all be
>> >>>>> dead.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I wonder if people think about
>> what they say.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> The kids never question my
>> abilities. Blindness is normal to
>> >>>>> them. My
>> >>>>>> actions speak volumes to Caiden,
>> Chloe, Kensley and Penny. We
>> >>>>> think
>> >>>>>> children have mental limitations,
>> but they understand what adults
>> >>>>> can
>> >>>>>> not. My babies accept me and
>> do not doubt their safety with me.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Caiden loves to play video
>> games. I think he is a bit young for
>> >>>>> this,
>> >>>>>> but what do adults know,
>> right? If allowed, he would play all
>> >>>>> day long.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Once, my mom was watching the
>> kids, and in an attempt to get
>> >>>>> Caiden to
>> >>>>>> stop the game and play outside,
>> she told him, "If you play too
>> >>>>> many
>> >>>>>> video games you will go blind."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Caiden's response was, "Grandma,
>> it's not a big deal to be blind.
>> >>>>> Look
>> >>>>>> at Aunt Bridgy."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> With these words, I realize the
>> impact I have on my nephew and
>> >>>>> nieces.
>> >>>>>> They are the beginning of a
>> generation that can break the
>> >>>>> stereotypes
>> >>>>>> about blindness. The efforts
>> I make seem so small, but through
>> >>>>> these
>> >>>>>> children, I know the effect is
>> lasting.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Recently Chloe has taken to
>> walking around with her eyes closed
>> >>>>> because
>> >>>>>> she, "Wants to be like Aunt
>> Bridgy." Every time she is at my
>> >>>>> house, she
>> >>>>>> insists on using a white cane to
>> walk around with. She is also
>> >>>>>> fascinated with Braille and wants
>> to learn this tactile form of
>> >>>>> print.
>> >>>>>> Every where she goes, she points
>> out signs that have Braille on
>> >>>>> them.
>> >>>>>> She has no fear. To Chloe,
>> blindness is just another way to
>> >>>>> "be."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Children are not caught up in
>> their perceptions, but will believe
>> >>>>> what
>> >>>>>> you tell them at face value.
>> Exposure to me has allowed my
>> >>>>> nephew and
>> >>>>>> nieces to learn and understand
>> that life does not stop after
>> >>>>> blindness.
>> >>>>>> Diversity is wide, and children
>> accept people for who they are.
>> >>>>> My
>> >>>>>> children accept me as capable and
>> confident-the way they view
>> >>>>> other
>> >>>>>> adults in their lives. In
>> their eyes, I am no different, and
>> >>>>> there is
>> >>>>>> no thought of limitations.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Kensley and Penny are still
>> grasping the fact that I do not
>> >>>>> respond to
>> >>>>>> visual cues, like nodding their
>> heads. Both have quickly
>> >>>>> adjusted to
>> >>>>>> finding other means in which to
>> express their wants. When wanting
>> >>>>> to be
>> >>>>>> held, they come to me and place
>> their arms around my legs. When
>> >>>>> they
>> >>>>>> want to show me something like a
>> toy, they place it in my hands.
>> >>>>> Kensley
>> >>>>>> and Penny do not question my
>> ability to care for them. To them,
>> >>>>> I am
>> >>>>>> comfort, I am love, I am security,
>> and of course I am food!
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Sometimes, I pin a small bell to
>> the back of their clothing so I
>> >>>>> know
>> >>>>>> where they are, but usually their
>> gibber-gabber gives their
>> >>>>> location
>> >>>>>> away. As Penny and Kensley
>> learn to speak, they will understand
>> >>>>> that
>> >>>>>> they must use their words, and not
>> gestures, to communicate with
>> >>>>> me.
>> >>>>>> These two will grow up never
>> thinking I am odd, or doubt that I
>> >>>>> can care
>> >>>>>> for them.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Adults, on the other hand, do not
>> see beyond my blindness. The
>> >>>>> world
>> >>>>>> created a reality in which
>> blindness is a debilitating disability
>> >>>>>> leaving one limited and to be
>> pitied. True, not everyone buys
>> >>>>> into the
>> >>>>>> antiquated stereotypes, and not
>> everyone believes me inferior,
>> >>>>> but, in
>> >>>>>> my experience, most people still
>> cling to old notions.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I was leaving campus one day, and
>> a man approached me from behind
>> >>>>> and
>> >>>>>> declared, "You are amazing!"
>> I knew what he meant, but I acted
>> >>>>> as
>> >>>>>> though I had no clue.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "What do you mean?" I asked.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "You get around so well. It
>> is truly amazing you can walk."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Thanks, but I am blind, not
>> paralyzed."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "I just mean it is amazing you
>> don't run into stuff."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "If I didn't use this cane I
>> would." I proceeded down the steps
>> >>>>> of the
>> >>>>>> fine arts building. Following
>> behind me, he seemed poised to
>> >>>>> capture a
>> >>>>>> blind person out of their natural
>> environment.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I looked up as I felt snow fall
>> lightly on my head and face.
>> >>>>> "Wow, it's
>> >>>>>> snowing again?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "See, you're amazing! How do
>> you know it's snowing? It must be
>> >>>>> your
>> >>>>>> sixth sense."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "No, I feel it. Can't you?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Diplomacy is the usual route I
>> take, but there are times when I
>> >>>>> can no
>> >>>>>> longer deal with the attitudes
>> forced on me. I try to educate-I
>> >>>>> try to
>> >>>>>> be positive, but watch out if you
>> catch me on a bad day.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I stood, a few months ago,
>> waiting at the curb to cross the
>> >>>>> street.
>> >>>>>> Listening to the traffic on Center
>> street in front of me, and the
>> >>>>>> traffic on Paddock road to my
>> right, I prepare to cross. As a
>> >>>>> person
>> >>>>>> who is blind, I listen to the
>> sound of traffic to help me cross a
>> >>>>>> street, and yes, it is safe to do
>> this. Still not sure? How
>> >>>>> many
>> >>>>>> sighted people get into
>> accidents? I rest my case.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Once the light changes, it won't
>> stay green long, and I must zip
>> >>>>> across.
>> >>>>>> I wait and wait and wait-the red
>> light (red as in I have the
>> >>>>> right-away)
>> >>>>>> is a freakin' fifteen-seconds
>> long, but when traffic has the
>> >>>>> green, I
>> >>>>>> stand here forever. I
>> checked the time, three o' clock on the
>> >>>>> dot.
>> >>>>>> Come on. I tapped my long
>> white cane on the pavement out of
>> >>>>> boredom.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Suddenly, I'm grabbed by the elbow
>> from behind. With cars on
>> >>>>> Center
>> >>>>>> Street still zooming by, a crazed
>> pedestrian forces me into
>> >>>>> oncoming
>> >>>>>> traffic. I could not stop,
>> so I continue this farce as this
>> >>>>> Crazy Carla
>> >>>>>> dragged me across the
>> street. Cars whizzed and rumbled by, and I
>> >>>>> had no
>> >>>>>> choice but to keep truckin'.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Reaching the other side, I slapped
>> the strangers hand away and
>> >>>>> shouted,
>> >>>>>> "What the hell are you doing?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Are you good?" Crazy Carla asked,
>> ignoring my question.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Are you insane? You can
>> see, right? Clearly we did not have
>> >>>>> the
>> >>>>>> right-away. Shit!"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Crazy Carla, who, I swore,
>> was about to meet her fate back out
>> >>>>> on
>> >>>>>> Center street , tried grabbing my
>> arm again.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Grabbing her wrist, I asked, "Do I
>> know you? No, so what gives
>> >>>>> you the
>> >>>>>> idea I want a complete stranger
>> touching me?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Can you make it home from here?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> I stared in her direction.
>> Is she deaf?
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Uh, I think I'm good. How
>> the hell do you think I was getting
>> >>>>> around
>> >>>>>> before you, like a maniac, drove
>> me across the street?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "Have a good day. Ya' sure
>> you can get home okay?"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Throwing my backpack down, I
>> shouted, "O-H MY GOD! Fuck you!"
>> >>>>> Grabbing
>> >>>>>> my bag, I turned and stomped
>> towards my apartment complex.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> No, I am not proud of such
>> outburst, but I don't accept the
>> >>>>> perceptions
>> >>>>>> society has constructed about
>> blindness either. I, who was
>> >>>>> safely and
>> >>>>>> cautiously waiting to cross a busy
>> city street, was assumed
>> >>>>> incapable by
>> >>>>>> a sighted person who threw caution
>> to the wind and placed me, and
>> >>>>>> themselves, into a dangerous
>> situation. Instead of thinking,
>> >>>>> "Hmm, this
>> >>>>>> person is blind, but they are out
>> and about on their own, they
>> >>>>> must be
>> >>>>>> okay-they must know what they are
>> doing," they only "see" the
>> >>>>> blind girl
>> >>>>>> standing alone and do not get past
>> that thought.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> My friends all have similar
>> stories. We are seven people
>> >>>>> enjoying each
>> >>>>>> other's company, but because we
>> are all blind, it is considered
>> >>>>> the
>> >>>>>> event of the century. We range in
>> age from twenty-five to
>> >>>>> thirty-five,
>> >>>>>> some of us have children, all of
>> us work, but it is an awesome
>> >>>>>> accomplishment that we are
>> socializing without a sighted
>> >>>>> companion.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> It is even more incredible that
>> our conversation sounds like any
>> >>>>> other
>> >>>>>> conversation. This confuses
>> our server as the girls talk about
>> >>>>> what to
>> >>>>>> do at the mall, and the guys talk
>> about the football game playing
>> >>>>> on the
>> >>>>>> television.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> "You're all blind, right?" he
>> asks.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Seven voices chorus, "Yes."
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Message: 4
>> >>>>>> Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:05:46
>> -0800
>> >>>>>> From: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com
>> >>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Philosiphy in
>> society
>> >>>>>> Message-ID:
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> <AANLkTikL2J4zOC0PFjwZqC2v+UyOnOPxaKM791A3+vdZ at mail.gmail.co
>> >>>>> m
>> >>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;
>> charset=ISO-8859-1
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Hi all,
>> >>>>>> So, I was thinking about how
>> what we learn in the NFb can
>> >>>>> translate
>> >>>>>> into society. For
>> example, socializing, we want to be
>> >>>>> considered as
>> >>>>>> "normal" as the next person, but
>> often we are asked the general
>> >>>>>> blindness related questions,
>> not ina bad way, but because people
>> >>>>> don't
>> >>>>>> understand something and want to
>> know what we do. How do people
>> >>>>> deal
>> >>>>>> with this? Say, you really
>> had a long day, and the last thing
>> >>>>> you want
>> >>>>>> to hear is something related to
>> blindness, but the grammys were
>> >>>>> on, and
>> >>>>>> you wouldn't mind talking
>> about how a certain pop star finally
>> >>>>> didn't
>> >>>>>> win something *smile*.
>> Or, you have the weel-meaning person
>> >>>>> trying to
>> >>>>>> direct you somewhere, when you've
>> made it clear that you do not
>> >>>>> require
>> >>>>>> said assistance? How do you
>> handle this without getting fairly
>> >>>>> annoyed
>> >>>>>> and/or taking
>> >>>>>> it to be more serious than
>> it's simply ment. I know we talk
>> >>>>> about
>> >>>>>> the importance of educating
>> the public, yet the equil
>> >>>>> importance of
>> >>>>>> stressing
>> normality. How have people handled
>> these ideas? How
>> >>>>> does
>> >>>>>> one operate keeping in mind
>> the ideas of both living one's life
>> >>>>> and
>> >>>>>> keep in mind the next blind person
>> that comes along?
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> Darian
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list
>> options or get your account info
>> >>>>> for nabs-l:
>> >>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/humbertoa
>> >>>>> 5369%40netzero.net
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list
>> options or get your account info for
>> >>>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>>>
>> >>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jorgeapaez%40mac.com
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options
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>> >>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>>
>> >>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gma
>> >> il.com
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>> Arielle Silverman
>> >>> President, National Association of Blind
>> Students
>> >>> Phone: 602-502-2255
>> >>> Email:
>> >>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>> >>> Website:
>> >>> www.nabslink.org
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or
>> get your account info for
>> >>> nabs-l:
>> >>>
>> >>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gma
>> >> il.com
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get
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>> >> nabs-l:
>> >>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/serenacucco%40verizo
>> >> n.net
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
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> il.com
>> >>
>> >
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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